Doffer for cotton pickers



1952 L. A. PARADISE 2,619,784

DOFFER FOR COTTON PICKERS Filed Dec. 22, 1948 H6. 6 mm.

L.A. PARAD/SE A TTORE Y5 Patented Dec. 2, 1952 DOFFER FOR COTTON PICKERSLouis A. Paradise, Moline, Ill., asslgnor to Deere & Company, Moline,Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application December 22, 1948, SerialNo. 66,650

11 Claims.

This invention relates to dofling mechanism for cotton pickers and moreparticularly to improved dofiing elements of the type mounted on arotating carrier for dofling or wiping cotton from picking elements suchas rotating spindles.

The most feasible type of cotton picker currently known is that in whichthe picking unit includes a drumrotatable about a vertical axis andprovided with a plurality of picking spindles individually rotatable onsubstantially horizontal axes and arranged in vertically spaced series.As the picking machine advances along a row of cotton, the spindles moveinto the plants and operate to pick the cotton by wrapping the cottonaround picking portions of the spindles. As the drum continues to movein its orbit, the laden spindles move out of the plants toward doflingmechanism which removes the cotton from the spindles for ultimatedelivery of the cotton to a suitable receptacle. One particular doflingmechanism heretofore known is that type which comprises a vertical shafton which is carried a plurality of dofling members, one for each seriesof spindles. These doffing members are interspaced with respect to thespindles and rotate in such direction that they engage the cotton on thespindles by means of dofling elements which have heretofore comprised,in the main, rubber blocks or bristles or a combination of both.

The relationship between the picker spindles and the dofiing mechanismis a peculiar one and considerable effort has been extended in the pastin the development of an appropriate structural relationship that bestcoordinates the functions of these two mechanisms; considerable efforthas also been directed toward the selection of proper materials of whichto construct the doiilng elements. These problems are particularly acutebecause of the nature of the cotton, which tends to adhere to thespindles, is compressible and sometimes becomes tightly wrapped on thespindles, and which when removed from the spindles tends in some casesto adhere to the dofiing elements. As a general solution to all problemsin this respect, the material primarily used for the dofiing elements isrubber, in various natural and synthetic compositions thereof, eachelement being provided in the form of an elongated block which is squarein cross-section and rectangular, as viewed from above or either side.

The selection of such material rather than a material having higherwear-resisting characteristics was carefully made with the realizationthat such blocks or elements would have to be replaced. In one knownprior construction, the blocks were formed integral with a disk or ringwhich is mounted on a carrier. The primary disadvantage of suchconstruction is that excescessive wear on one element requiresreplacement of the entire mounting structure. According to the presentinvention, it is proposed that each element be made and carriedindividually so that any element may be individually replaced. It istherefore another object to provide a carrier making suitable provisionfor the individual installation and replacement of the dofiing elements.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide an improveddofiing element which has increased dofling efficiency because of itsconstruction of different portions of different flexibility. That is,one of the portions is relatively solid or dense to provide a mountingportion on the dofiing carrier and the other portion is more resilient,or of less density, to provide a cotton-engaging portion cooperativewith the spindles. Specifically, it is an object to provide a doffingelement in the form of a block constructed of rubber or similar materialwhich is substantially solid except for a plurality of grooves or slitswhich thereby provide a plurality of cotton-engaging or wiping portions,each of which is individually flexible.

In connection with the mounting of the element or block on the dofiercarrier, it is an object to reenforce the denser or solid portion of theblock, preferably by means of a small plate of metal bonded or otherwisesecured to the block. A further object is to incorporate in the blockportions which cooperate with mounting means on the dofl'er carrier sothat the block may be easily installed and removed.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable featuresinherent in and encompassed by the invention will become apparent as acomplete disclosure of a preferred form of the invention is made inthe-following detailed description and accompanying sheet of drawings inwhich: I

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view showing a dofier in cooperativeposition with but two of a series of picker spindles;

Figure 2 is a side view of the structure shown in Figure 1, Figure 2being partly in section as viewed along the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the components of thedoifer carrier mechanism;

. Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the doffer. elements orblocks;

Figure 5'is a sectional view through one of the dofilng elements asviewed substantially along a plane including the line -5 of Figure 4;and

Figure 6 is an enlarged view taken substantially along the line 66 inFigure 1 and showing the relationship between the doffing mechanism anda cotton-laden spindle.

A general understanding of the operation of a cotton picker of thedefied-spindle type may be had from Figures 1 and 2 and the followingdescription. The numeral It! is used to designate a picker spindlecomprising part of a plurality of series of similar spindles arrangedabout a drum (not shown) according to various wellknown constructions,an example of which is shown in the U. S. patent to Johnston 2,140,631.These spindles are carried in such manner that they rotate with the drumin an orbit .or path that results in movement of the spindles into thecotton plants along a row that is bein picked or harvested. Each spindleis individually carried for rotation about a horizontal axis. Thedirection of rotation of the spindles is indicated by an arrow inFigure 1. The-direction of movement of the spindles into or toward thecotton plants is indicatedby a large'arrow labeled A in Figure 1. Thespindles may, as isconventional, be provided with picking teeth (notshown here) by meansof which the rapidly rotating spindles engage andwithdraw cotton from the cotton bolls. from the plants in the directionof the arrow B in Figure 1 so that the cotton thereon, designated at Cin the drawings, may be removed by means of dofling mechanism, indicatedgenerally by the numeral ll.

Figure 2 indicates-generally partcf themeans for rotating the individualspindles Hi, such means here including a vertical shaft 12 and meshingbevel-pinions I 3 respectively'on the shaft and on the spindle.

The dofiing mechanism comprises a vertical shaft which may be rotated byany suitable source of power and which carries a plurality of verticallyspaced, circular doffers or carriers (only one of which is shown) spacedapart in accordance with the verticalspacing of the spindles In, all ofwhich will be apparent from an examination of the disclosure in thepatent referred to above. For the purposes of the present illustration,it is deemed necessary to show only a single dolfer and its relation toone or r two spindles. The arrows D in Figures 1 and 6 indicate thedirection of rotation of the doffer. It will be noted that thecotton-laden spindle Ill approaches and is engaged by the doffer H insuch manner that the longitudinal axis of the spindle is substantiallytangent to an outer circle of the dofifer. This result may beaccomplished by the usual cam or control means as shown in the Johnstonpatent.

Each doifer comprises a circular'carrier member or hub 16 which has acentral bore or opening I! to receive the dofier shaft lb. The hub i6includes a radial .flange i8 provided with a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced openings 1 9 which form part of mounting orsecuring means to be subsequently described in greater detail. The hub16 may be fixed to the shaft It as by a key 20 (Figure 1). The axis ofthe carrier is, of course, the axisoi the shaft [5, and the generalplane of the carrier and its associated flange i8 is horizontal.

The doffer further includes an upper mounting plate here shown ascomprising a ring 2| of sheet metal or other suitable mater a T is ringThe cotton-laden spindles then move out has an interior opening 22 of adiameter sufficient to allow installation of the ring on the carrier itfrom above so that the portion of the ring 2| bordering the opening 22may rest on the upper or radial surface portion of the flange E8 of thehub. The ring is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spacedopenings 23 positioned for alinement with the openings or apertures l9in th hub 16. The outside diameter of the ring 2! is substantiallylarger than that of the flange 28 on the hub it and the outer peripheryof the ring terminates in an axially directedannular flange 2d,preferably formed integral with the body of the ring. In its broaderaspects, the two parts it and 2i comprise a mounting element for theparts to be described below.

A third part of the doi'ler includes a plate or ring of sheet metal,designated by the numeral 25, and having an interior opening 25substantially equal in diameter to the opening 22 in the ring 21. Theoutside diameter of the ring 25 is slightly less than. the outsidediameter of the ring 2!, being in fact substantially a close fit withthe inside diameter of the annular flange 24 onthe ring ii. The ring 25is provided with a plurality ofapertures or openings 27circumferentially spaced .on the order of the apertures 19 and 23respectively in the parts it and 2!. When the doffer components areassembled, securing means are passed through the openings or aperturesfor securing the components together. In the present instance, thesecuring means comprise a plurality of bolts 28 and nuts 29.

As best shown in Figure 2, the flange is on the hub It has oppositeradial mounting faces, the upper of which carries the under face of thering 2| and the lower or under of which engages the upper face of thelower ring 25, thus disposing the rings 2| and .25 in axially spacedrelationship with the annular flange 24 overhanging or overlapping theoutside diameter of the ring As best shown in Figure 3, the ring 25 isprovided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting portionsincluding recesses or slots 33 which extend radially as respects thecenter or axis of the ring 25.

The doifer carrier structure just described provides means for carryingor mounting a plurality of doling elements, each preferably beingidentical to that shown in Figure 4, wherein the numeral 35 designatesthe element in its entirety. Each element is composedprincipally ofmaterial suchas rubber'and preferably is in the form of a block that isgenerally in the form of a T in crosssection, the upper or bar portionof the T being designated by the numeral 36 and the upright or legportion of the T being designated by the numeral 37. The block iselongated and is substantially rectangular, as viewed from above oreither side, and the cross-sectional area or appearance of the uprightor leg portion of the T is substantially that of asquare. As best shownin Figure 5, the length of the bar portion 36 is somewhat shorter thanthe length of the leg portion 31, to provide an oifset or notch at 38.The thickness of the bar portion 35 is substantially equal to the axialspacing between the plates 2! and 25 when assembled to the hub 16, andthe length of the bar portion is substantially equal to the radialdistance between the inside diameter of the annular flange 2t and theouside diameterof the flange 18 on the hub l t. The width of the portion31 is slightly less than the width of a slot 30in the ring 25. Hence, itwill be seen that-the elements or' blocks 35 maybe individuallycarried'by the carrier structure via the slots 30 and the cooperativecovering and retaining action of the overlapping or annular flange 24.That is to say, in the original assembly of the dofier, the blocks-maybe installed in the slots 30 of the ring 25 with the offsets or notches38 toward the'center of the ring. The plate 2| may be mounted on thecarrier from above and the other plate from below, the two plates thusconfining'the portion 36 of each block. The fastening means includingthe bolts 28 and nuts 29 complete the assembly. The overlapping relationof the annular flange 24 prevents radial outward displacement of theblock. Radial inward displacement of the block is, of course, preventedby engagement between the inner portion of the bar 36 with theannularflange IS on the'hub l6.

In-the event that J any one of the blocks 35 wears excessively or isotherwise damaged, it may be replaced without disassembling the entirecarrier structure. This result is accomplished by removing the fasteningmeans 28-29 in the vicinity of the damaged block. The inherentflexibility in the rings or plates 2| and 25 permits the rings to bespread apart sufiiciently to remove the damaged block radially outwardlybelow the proximate portion of the annular flange 24. By a reversal ofthis procedure, a new block may be inserted and the fastening meansreplaced. It will be obvious that this operation is considerably fasterand less expensive than that required by prior constructions in which itis necessary to replace either the entire dofier and carrier or at leastan element in which the blocks are provided as integral parts of arubber ring.

As previously stated, a further. feature of the invention is theconstruction of the individual block with respect to the doflingcharacteristics thereof. For this purpose, each block 35 is soconstructed that its upper portion is of greater density and thereforeof less flexibility than its lower portion. As will be best seen inFigures 4 and'5, the upper portion of the block-substantially the upperhalf thereof-is relatively solid and dense and hence relativelyinflexible. This solid or dense portion is preferably integral withthebar portion 36 of the T-shaped cross-section. The upper surface ofthe bar is given increased rigidity by means of a reenforcementpreferably including a small metal plate 40. This plate may be bonded orotherwise adhered to the upper surface of the portion 36.

The lower portion of the upright or leg 3! of the block is relieved orotherwise provided with less density than the upper portion. In thepresent case, this result is accomplished by the provision of aplurality of lengthwise slits or grooves 4|, thereby leaving on theblock a plurality of cotton-engaging. portions 42 in the form of wiperstrips of increased flexibility or resiliency.

The action of the wiper strips 42 may be best visualized by anexamination of Figure 6, wherein it will be seen that the strips areindividually flexible. The strips are preferably in parallelismthroughout the length of the block 35; although, they may be otherwisearranged according to individual desires. The relationship between thebottoms of the strips and the upper surface of the spindle I is such asto provide a slight clearance to allow for the wrapping of the cotton,as indicated at C in Figure 6. It will be noted that the outer surfaceof each spindle is conical and that the wiping action of the doiferblock is from the base to the tip of the cone. It will be further notedfrom an examination of Figures 1 and 6, that the direction of rotationofthe spindle is such that its surface moves lengthwise as respects theextent of the strips 42. Simultaneously, the strips'are, of course,wiped axially over the outer surface of the spindle.

Figures 4 and 5 show that the depth of each of the grooves 4| in theportion 31 of the block 35 is substantially one-half the height of the-bar portion of the T. It will be appreciated that the depth can bevaried for the purposes of varying the flexibility of the strips; thatis, the grooves can be made shallower so that the lower portion of theblock is less flexible, or the grooves could be made deeper to make thelower portion of the block more flexible. The invention contemplatessuch variations for the purpose of accomplishing varying degrees offlexibility of wiper strips 42 or their equivalents.

Doffer block-s constructed according to the present invention will haveincreased wearing qualities inad-dition to more efii-cient doffingaction. The wear-resisting characteristics can be determined from anexamination of Figure 6, wherein it will be seen that the individualstrips 42 may flex and any wear on the block will be taken by theleading corners of the strips, rather than on a single corner of a solidblock of the type heretofore known.

Various other features and advantages of the invention not specificallypointed out above will undoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, aslikewise will numerous modifications and alterations in the preferredstructure illustrated, all of which may be accomplished withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dofiing block of relatively elongated form and composed principallyof resilient material such as rubber, said block being T-shaped incross-section with the leg of the T substantially heavier than the barof the T and the bar and the leg being integrally formed, the bar andsubstantially the bar-proximate half of the leg being relatively solid,and the other half of the leg being grooved lengthwise of the block to adepth substantially one-half the height of the leg to provide aplurality of generally parallel, relatively flexible wiper stripsrunning lengthwise of the block.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, further characterized in that: thebar of the T is reenforced with material of less resiliency than thematerial of which the block is principally composed.

3. The invention defined in claim 2, further characterized in that:v thereenforcing material is metal.

4. The invention defined in claim 3, further characterized in that:' theportion of the block formed by the bar of the T is an outer, generallyflat surface; and the metal reeinforcement comprises a metal membersubstantially coextensive in area with said surface.

5. The invention defined in claim 4, further characterized in that: themetal member is a plate having opposite surfaces, one of which is bondedto the outer surface of the bar of the T and the other of which isexposed in its major portions.

6. A d-ofling block of relatively elongated form and composedprincipally of resilient material such as rubber, said block beingT-shaped in cross-section with the leg of the T substantially heavierthan the bar of the T and the bar and the leg being integrally formed,the bar and substantially the bar-proximate half of the leg beingrelatively solid, and .the other half of the leg being groovedlengthwise of the :block .to .a depth substantially one-half the heightof the leg to provide a plurality of generally parallel, relativelyflexible wiper strips running lengthwise of the block, that portion ofthe block formed by the bar of the T being shorter, lengthwise of theblock, than the portion formed by the leg of the T.

7. A cotton picker doffer, comprising: a generally circular carrier hubhaving a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures; a first ringconcentrically disposed on the hub and having an outside diameter largerthan that of the hub, said ring having a peripheral, axially directedflange, and also having a plurality of apertures alined with the hubapertures; a second ring concentrically disposed on the hub in axiallyspaced relation to the first ring and having its periphery overlapped bythe peripheral flange on the first ring, said second ring having aplurality of apertures in alinement With the afore said apertures, andfurther having a plurality of circumferentially spaced mountin recessesopening to its periphery; a plurality of individual dofiing elements,one for each recess, each element having a portion received through therecess and within the axial spacing between the rings, each elementfurther having a portion engaging the peripheral flange of th first ringto prevent outward radial displacement of said element; and means forsecuring the carrier hub and rings together with the dofiing element-smounted as aforesaid including a plurality of fasteners cooperatingrespectively with said apertures. V

8. The invention defined in claim '7, further characterized in that: thesecond ring includes flexible portions adjacent the mounting recesses,and the fasteners are individually removable and insertable so thatproximate. portions of the rings may be moved axially apart to providefor removal or insertion of individual dofllng elements.

9. A cotton-picker dofier, comprising: a rotatable carrier; a first ringconcentrically disposed on the carrier and having an outside diameterlarger than that of the carrier and having aperipheral, axially directedflange; a second ring concentrically disposed on the carrier in axiallyspaced relation to the first .ring and having its periphery overlappedby the peripheral flange on the first ring, said secondring having aplurality of circumferentially spaced mounting recesses opening to itsperiphery; a plurality of individual doffing elements, one for eachrecess, each element having a portion received through the recess andwithin the axialspacing between the rings, each element further having aportion engaging the peripheral flange .of the first ring to preventoutward radial displacement of said element; and means for securing thecarrier and rings together with the dofling elements mounted asaforesaid.

10. A cotton picker doffer, comprising: a horizontally rotatablemounting element having a peripheral, axially downwardly directedflange; a mounting plate that is substantially-circular and mountedconcentrically with the mounting element but spaced slightly axiallytherebelow so as to be overlapped by the peripheral flange, and havingan outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the peripheralflange and thus encircled by said flange, said plate having a, pluralityof circumferentially spaced mounting recesses opening radially outwardlytoward said flange; a plurality of doffing elements respectivelyreceivable by said recesses, each doifing element having a portionreceived between the axially spaced mounting element and plate, and eachdofflng element having a portion engageable by a proximate portion ofsaid flange to prevent radial displacement of said dofling element; andmeans for removably securing the mounting element and plate togetherwith the dofflng elements mounted as aforesaid.

11. A cotton picker doifer, comprising: a horizontally rotatablemounting element having a flat under face; a mounting plateconcentrically disposed as respects said carrier and having a fiat upperface spaced slightly axially below the under face of the mountingelement; means including a radially outwardly opening slot in the plate;a doffing element received by said slot means and depending therefrom,said dofdng element having an upper part provided with a flat uppersurface seating against the under face of the mounting element andfurther having opposite side portions overhanging opposite sides of theslot and received between said axially spaced faces of the mountingelement and plate; 'means on and depending from a radially outer portionof the mounting element overlapping the open end of the slot andengaging and covering an upper outer portion of the doffing element toprevent radially outward displacement of said dofling element; and meansremovably securing the mounting element and member together with thedofiing element mounted as aforesaid.

LOUIS A. PARADISE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS Number

